"The truth is," he explained, "that it strikes one as a bit absurd
that any man should travel up here for pleasure. If you take my
advice you will come down-stream again with me to-morrow."

He evidently distrusted him; and the sidelong, furtive glance
suggested vaguely that Victor Durnovo had something farther up this
river which he wished to keep concealed.

"I understand," answered Meredith, with a half-suppressed yawn,
"that the country gets finer farther up--more mountainous--less
suggestive of--Hell."

The proprietors of very dark eyes would do well to remember that it
is dangerous to glance furtively to one side or the other. The
attention of dark eyes is more easily felt than the glances of grey
or blue orbs.

Jack Meredith's suspicions were aroused by the suspicious manner of
his interlocutor.

"There is no white man knows this river as I do, and I do not
recommend it. Look at me--on the verge of jaundice--look at this
wound on my arm; it began with a scratch and has never healed. All
that comes from a month up this cursed river. Take my advice, try
somewhere else."

"I certainly shall," replied Meredith. "We will discuss it after
dinner. My chap is a first-rate cook. Have you got anything to add
to the menu?"